This is fantastic news for the town situated 8 miles north-east of Liverpool, which will benefit from new shopping and leisure facilities. Planning consent for the initial £14m phase was originally granted in November 2017, with consent for amended plans granted in November 2019. With the principal contractor, GMI Construction, now on site it’s full steam ahead with completion expected in early 2021.

The project is part of an overarching planned redevelopment of Kirkby town centre, covering almost 5 hectares. The development includes a new food store, non-food retail units, food & drink, and leisure facilities, which are designed to supplement and strengthen the existing shopping centre immediately to the south. The site is owned by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC) and the development is being delivered by St Modwen on behalf of the council. Saunders were involved in the original feasibility and subsequent design and planning application for the development. We are now novated across to GMI for the delivery stage, which includes working with tenants to incorporate any specific requirements.

The first phase consists of 12 new build units, including a 46,000 sq ft Morissons store and a petrol filling station, a Home Bargains outlet and a KFC restaurant with drive thru. 470 new public parking spaces, secure shared service yards and improved highways junctions to the existing road network complete the scheme.